Seahawks sign Patrick Chukwurah to replace DE Chris Clemons

The Seahawks on Wednesday signed six-year NFL veteran Patrick Chukwurah to replace the team’s leading pass-rusher, Chris Clemons, who tore his ACL and meniscus during Sunday’s playoff victory over the Redskins.

Patrick Chukwurah is seen in his 2008 headshot. (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Chukwurah hasn’t played in the NFL since the 2007 season, when he was a backup defensive end for the Buccaneers. But he has been playing in the semi-pro United Football League, where he led the league in sacks for two years in a row, according to NFL.com.

The 33-year-old pass-rusher reportedly beat out Aaron Maybin, Ray Edwards and Travis LaBoy in a tryout with the Seahawks this week. According to the official Seahawks blog, Seattle plans for him to be available for this Sunday’s second-round playoff game in Atlanta.

Chukwurah had a total of nine sacks over his six years in the NFL, during which he played two seasons in Minnesota, three seasons in Denver and his final season in Tampa Bay. His best stats came in 2006, when he had 4.5 sacks and 19 tackles off the bench for the Broncos.

The Seahawks placed Clemons, 31, on the injured reserve this week after he got injured during the third quarter against Washington. The eight-year NFL veteran led the team in sacks with 11.5, forced three fumbles and tallied 31 tackles during the regular season.

Bruce Irvin, Seattle’s first-round pick in the 2012 draft, is expected to start in Clemons’ place Sunday in Atlanta. He was second on the team with eight sacks, and led all NFL rookies in sacks during the regular season.